NREL used blockchain technology to stage a simple, distributed energy marketplace
between two simulated home energy systems. Such a marketplace removes the need for
a centralized arbitrator by enabling trust among participants.

Researchers demonstrated a distributed energy marketplace in the ESIF's Systems Performance
Laboratory, where two realistic home energy systems exchanged energy according to
a blockchain-based smart contract, facilitated by BlockCypher. The smart contract
determines autonomous energy exchanges between a foreseeTM home energy management system in each home.